August is typically one of the hottest months. With temperatures rising, now is the time to evaluate your thermostat settings for the summer. This ensures your home is cool and comfortable – without breaking the bank! To help you manage the intense summer heatwaves, Viviano offers our expert recommendations when it comes to your thermostat settings for the summer. These recommendations and adjustments can help you maintain optimal comfort all summer long. They can also maximize your energy efficiency and save you money during the hottest month of the year.
Adjusting Thermostat Settings for Summer Temperatures
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the recommended thermostat setting for the summer is cooling at 78-80° and heating at 68-70° in the winter. You can base your thermostat setting for the summer on personal preferences. However, adjusting your thermostat throughout the day based on your routine can help you maintain comfort while maximizing energy usage.
If you are not home during the day, raising the cooling temperature while you’re away is a great way to save energy during the summer. If you are home most of the day, you can maintain comfort while saving energy by lowering the thermostat for the summer at night when the outdoor temperature is cooler. It’s even suggested by the DOE to adjust your thermostat when you are sleeping or away to reduce wasting energy and money.
Some thermostats make it easy for homeowners to adjust thermostat settings such as:
Zoned heating and cooling: There are multiple thermostats throughout your home. Each zone or area of your house can be adjusted to your desired temperature. This gives you precise control of your home’s indoor temperature.
Programmable thermostats: You can set a preset schedule for different temperature settings during certain times and days of the week.
Smart thermostats: These work similarly to programmable thermostats, but you can control thermostat settings from your smartphone app. Some apps may also offer features to monitor your cooling patterns and home occupancy for automatic adjustments.
Factors To Consider When Setting Your Thermostat
Where you live, what type of house you live in, and your personal preferences will determine what factors to keep in mind when adjusting your thermostat. If you live in a warmer climate lower the cooling settings in the summer and raise the heat settings during the winter, and if you live in a cooler climate raise the cooling settings in the summer and lower the heat settings during the winter. Larger homes have difficulty regulating even household temperature. We recommend looking into zoned heating and cooling or multiple thermostats to ensure comfort throughout your home. If your house is empty during the day, it may be worth looking into a programmable or smart thermostat. These systems adjust the temperature based on occupancy and your cooling patterns, so you aren’t wasting energy or money cooling your home when no one is there.
Other factors to consider for thermostat settings for the summer are:
- Age and condition of your HVAC system
- Insulation and air sealing
- Windows and sunlight entering your home
- Humidity levels
What Happens When I Leave My Home?
It may seem beneficial to shut off your air conditioner while you’re away for an extended time. However, doing so can actually harm your home. Leaving your AC off allows hot air to invade your house through leaks, poor insulation, and sun exposure. Excess heat and humidity can lead to serious issues such as mold, dust mites, and insects. We recommend keeping your thermostat setting for the summer at a higher cooling temperature, unplugging unnecessary appliances, and closing all blinds and curtains. These small precautions will help maintain your home’s temperature, save money and energy, and protect your home from excessive heat damage.
Tips For Keeping Your Home Cool
Implementing small changes will help keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer months without relying on your thermostat. This not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers energy bills. Utilizing your ceiling or portable fan uses less energy than an AC. They can also help circulate cool air throughout your home. Adding blinds or shades to your windows will block out sunlight during the hottest parts of the day and reduce gained heat levels. Gained heat can also enter your home through air leaks and poor insulation. Sealing any leaks will prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping your home. Like HVAC systems, appliances use a lot of energy and produce heat. Cooking outdoors during the summer and using your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer during the cooler parts of the day will help your thermostat settings for summer.
Invest In Quality Equipment and Reliable Expertise
Contact Viviano for more tips on how to keep your home cool this summer! If you’re looking for a new air conditioning unit or require services on your current one, our technicians have you covered. We not only offer top-of-the-line equipment and products, but we also service all makes and models of equipment. Breakdown in extreme heat? Viviano’s got your back. Check out our current offers and call us today for the best HVAC services in the Metro East region.
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